Plaid backs small business calls for more government action
22/02/2012
Plaid Cymru Economy spokesperson Alun Ffred Jones has today backed calls from the Federation of Small Businesses for more action and support from the Welsh government. Mr Jones called on the Labour government to recognise the vital role that SMEs play in the Welsh Economy by adopting Plaid Cymru’s Small Business Job Protection Scheme. He said that his party’s policies, including an extension of the Business Rate Relief Scheme, capital investment and improved public procurement systems would all give small businesses a much needed boost during difficult economic times.
Plaid Cymru’s Economy Spokesperson, Alun Ffred Jones AM, said:
"Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Welsh economy and as such it is crucial that the Welsh government takes the action it can to protect them during these difficult economic times. Hundreds of thousands of people in Wales are employed by small businesses. Small business owners are working hard to keep their staff on despite the incredibly difficult economic conditions they’re facing. It is the duty of the Labour Welsh government to support them in this.
"Plaid Cymru has repeatedly called for action from the Labour government. Our Small Business Job Protection Scheme would directly help any business with a rateable value of up to £18,000 – over 80% of businesses in Wales - and I call on the Labour government to reconsider their rejection of these plans. We want to see the Labour government investing in capital projects like schools, hospitals and infrastructure as this will help to stimulate economic growth. Plaid Cymru has also called on the government to work to increase the amount of public sector procurement contracts won in Wales from 50% to 75%. Plaid Cymru will continue to press the government to take action – Labour cannot be allowed to continue to fail Welsh businesses by sitting back and doing nothing."